Fairfield High School - Quill Yearbook (Fairfield, IA)

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 1. Two sight for sore eyes - a lost script and a Mello Yellow. 2. Band members indulge in a luscious Hyatt breakfast. 3. We're l! exclaim pompon and band members. 4. A heavy downpour forces both teachers and Booster Club members onto the field to mop up before the playoff game. 5. Lunch break during the fast-paced day enables friends to get together. 6. An empty parking lot, undecorated windows and closed bootroom doors attest to the closing of Pleasant Plain. Pleasant Plain fond Remembered The doors to the Pleasant Plain school had grown accustomed to opening and shutting for excited, rac- ing, shrieking children. These same doors are now in a quiet, undisturbed sleep. Apparent unavoidable bud- get cuts forced the little red schoolhouse in the north- eastern part of the country to conclude its 82nd year of classes. For the alumni, sentimental feelings and memories accompany their confusion as to why their school had to close. Hundreds of people were educated at good ol' Pleasant Plain for they considered it the best in the state — a place that seemed like a second home. Graduates fondly remember recesses filled with games of tag, four-square, kickball, and football. Some girls would pick dandelions for teachers or jump rope to Cinderella-dressed in yella .. . The local monkeys climbed on the bars swining around and around until they would fall off from dizziness. Mischief-makers pushed merry-go-rounds so fast that heads would spin and screams were prevelant. All in all, recesses were a welcomed release of energy. Fortunately, the school lunches were good, although they weren't always appreciated until the students grew older. Friendly cooks everyone loved soon learned who liked Spinach and who didn't so they could serve the portions accordingly. Classes produced knowledge in the basic reading writ- ing, and 'rithmetic. Reading groups, spelling lists and science experiments were part of the daily routine as kids trudged from hour to hour. A special party for Valentine's day and the kindergar- ten's annual interpretation of the first Thanksgiving complete with costumes were just part of the extra activities. Another annual happening was the talent show with acts involving amateur singers, dancers, actors, and pianists. With the formation of the District's only PTG came fun chili suppers. The younger crowd looked forward to the good food, cake walk and fish pond, but their elders grew tired of handing out money. Student Council always sponsored several skating parties. These were especially important events since boys of- ten asked girls months in advance if they could be partners in the moonlight. Even though the majority of last year's students now attend Lincoln and Lockridge grade schools, local citi- zens were still saddened to see the diminishing com- munity's only point of interest taken away. This close-knit Family of Pleasant Plain people shared a unique closeness with one another through their in- volvement with the town's only survivor. Although this well-loved school was forced to shut its doors, no one can drive away the alumni's special memories. - Francie Horras